The SA Sevens finished the group stage unbeaten as they downed Australia 19-5 on day one at the Edinburgh Sevens.

The 2008-09 World Series champions enjoyed an unbeaten run with the win over the Aussies. A Cecil Afrika try put the former 5-0 ahead at half-time while Paul Delport and youngster William Small-Smith ensured victory in the second stanza. The Blitzboks will now face Samoa in their Cup quarter-final on day two.

Earlier in the day, South Africa downed Kenya 31-14. Skipper Kyle Brown cruised over for the first while good continuity and offloading in the tackle saw Bernardo Botha and Steven Hunt cross the chalk for a 19-7 half-time lead.

Afrika and Neil Powell dived over in the second half to confirm back-to-back wins. Kenya scored through a Humphrey Kayanga brace. South Africa will face Australia later on Saturday evening to decide who tops Pool C.

Earlier, the Blitzboks picked up a 32-5 win over Canada in their first group match.

Overall, it was a convincing display from Paul Treu’s men. South Africa scored six tries with Brown grabbing a brace. The World Series leading try scorer Afrika, Frankie Horne, Botha and Small-Smith also dotted down while John Moonlight scored a try against the run of play for Canada.

However, the victory was marred by Branco du Preez’s injury as he was stretchered off the field at the death. Carrying the ball up into contact before Brown’s second, the playmaker fell awkwardly on his leg. Replays showed that the injury looked serious and it seems it could be a broken leg or ankle. The loss will be a big blow as Du Preez forms a key combination with Afrika.